The Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition Supported by ABS

The Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition is an annual competition to recognize and promote new bonsai talent in North America. First prize is an exclusive course of instruction with an approved bonsai teacher. The first stage of the competition is a judging of photographs of previously designed trees by the entrant. The second stage will be the actual production of a bonsai during the "Visions of the American West" Bonsai Convention and Learning Seminar in Denver, Colorado at the Denver Marriott Tech Center, June 21-24, 2012.  The American Bonsai Society, Bonsai Clubs International and the Rocky Mountain Bonsai Society are sponsoring the event.

Eligibility requirements

Any person who lives in North America, including Puerto Rico, is eligible.  He or she must have been involved with the art of bonsai for less than ten (10) years.  Any past winner or runner-up is ineligible to enter.  Participation in the second stage is limited to two (2) competitions.

First stage submissions

Each contestant shall submit photographs of at least three bonsai that he or she has personally styled. More than one picture of each bonsai is preferred. The photographs do not have to be of publication quality; however, they should show the talent of the artist to the best advantage.

All of the photographs submitted shall be enclosed in a single presentation folder with the photos enclosed in clear plastic sleeves. A brief description and history of each bonsai shall also be enclosed. Taped to the back inside cover of the folder shall be an envelope with the completed application form. There should be no identification on the photos or on the outside of the enclosed envelope. Mail all entries to:

John Wiessinger
Competition Chairman
136 Ellis Hollow Cree Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850

First Stage Submissions must be received before Saturday April 14, 2012. Entries from artists whose photographs indicate the most promise will be selected to participate in the second stage of the competition. Contestants selected for Stage Two will be notified by Friday April 27, 2012.

Stage Two

Each contestant selected for the second stage of the competition must come to the "Visions of the American West" Bonsai convention and Learning Seminar in Denver.  Each contestant must pay his or her own expenses to the Bonsai Convention and Learning Seminar.

Each contestant shall:

1) Be provided with pre-bonsai material and wire by the Competition.
2) Furnish his or her personal tools and turntable. Power tools are acceptable.
3) Be given an eight (8) hour time period in which to style the material into a finished bonsai. The competition will begin at 8 AM and will close at 5 PM, on Thursday June 20, 2011. There will be an optional one-hour lunch break.

Repotting of the finished bonsai will not be done during the competition.

Judging

Four of the major presenters at the Convention and Learning Seminar will judge the completed bonsai. In addition, all registrants at the "Visions of the American West" will be able to vote for their personal choice. The "popular vote" is worth one vote. The artist whose bonsai receives the majority of the five votes will be awarded the title of "Best New Bonsai Talent of 2012" at the Saturday evening Banquet.

Questions may be emailed to John Wiessinger at: natureetours@gmail.com

Entrant’s Name:_________________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________

City__________________________________________________________________

State/Province_________________________ Zip/Postal Code____________________

Country_______________________________________________________________

Telephone____________________Fax_____________________Email_____________

I declare that I have personally styled each of the bonsai in the photos I am submitting.  I understand that upon submitting this application to the Joshua Roth New Talent Bonsai Competition, the application and all accompanying documents and photographs become property of the Competition and cannot be returned.  I further understand and agree that if I am selected for stage two of the Competition, I will register and appear at the "Bonsai in the Bluegrass Convention and Learning Seminar" to compete in the Competition.  It is further understood and agreed to, that if I am selected to participate in stage two of the Competition, the Competition has the exclusive right to photograph and publish photographs of any of the bonsai created in the Competition.  I hereby certify that I have been involved with the art of bonsai for less than ten years, have not won or been the runner-up in a previous Competition and have not participated in the final stage of the Competition more than one time.  I understand and agree that I will not receive assistance during the competition.

Signature__________________________________________

Date_____________________